Posted on 02/24/2009 10:26:24 AM PST by Jim Robinson
The Republican governor of Utah on Monday said his party is blighted by leaders in Congress whose lack of new ideas renders them so "inconsequential" that he doesn't even bother to talk to them.
"I don't even know the congressional leadership," Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. told editors and reporters at The Washington Times, shrugging off questions about top congressional Republicans, including House Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "I have not met them. I don't listen or read whatever it is they say because it is inconsequential - completely."
In a separate interview at The Times, House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, one of the party's chief message makers, said that Republican lawmakers have improved their standing with voters by attacking waste in the economic stimulus package even if rank-and-file Republicans can't agree to forgo earmarks - the pork-barrel spending projects despised by the electorate. Mr. Pence said such a move would benefit Americans and his party.
The back-and-forth underscored the leadership debate within their party. Mr. Huntsman called on national Republican leaders to show that they have alternatives and solutions, and Mr. Pence argued that congressional Republicans aren't as incompetent as they might appear.
"Is my party in Congress as far along as I would like to see us be? Probably not. But the contrast between our party that is having a thorough debate over how to change the way we spend the people's money and the other party, which is going on a spending spree and engaging in earmarking as usual, I think is the stark contrast," Mr. Pence said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
He said congressional Republicans failed to score political points for opposing the bill - only three Republican senators supported it - because the public saw them as objecting to being shut out by Democrats from helping write the bill rather than as taking a principled stand.
The governor said congressional Republicans are being frustrated by a lack of credibility on the party's No. 1 tenet: fiscal responsibility."
I don't get it. The good governor thinks congressional Republicans don't do enough in the way of fiscal responsibility, but he refuses to work with them, or talk to them or even meet them. Yet he's going to take and spend his share of Democrat supplied federal pork even though he admits it's going to harm the economy?
Talking about principled stand, how about growing a pair, governor! Guess we won't be seeing you at the Tea Party or the States Rights/10th Amendment Convention.
Another worthless RINO. Well at least we know who he is now.
Granted, not cavorting with the GOP elites in DC is not in itself a bad thing. They have been chumps more often than not. But this doof sounds like an Ahnuld wannabee RINO.
Logic has been shelved for awhile. This will just have to run its course and we will need to fix all this when it’s over.
What an arrogant little wannabe RINO idiot.
Utah needs to push the 10th Amendment and grab back the clean coal the feds grabbed. Utah could be one of the wealthiest COUNTRIES in the world due to their abundant natural resources that the Federal govt has STOLEN.
Absolutely....!
The twit lobbied his delegation to vote for the bill. He is a RINO.
He is so clueless that he did not even notice that Republcians DID offer alternative legislation!
there will be a LOT of fixing when its finally over
Give me money and I support you.
Principles and leadership in the new world order.
It's no wonder governments fall.
Sounds instead like he was raised at the knee of his state's King RINO, Ted Kennedy's best friend, Orrin Hatch.
He must be Utah’s version of our Bob Casey, Jr.: a fine old gentleman who produced a retarded son.
Added to the RINO list that gets longer each day.
Alteast no one ever elected Ron Reagan Jr. to anything (thank goodness)
Case in point, the Governor and his lovely wife approved the state motto “Life Elevated”....A marshmallow motto which would make the tough pioneer men and women who settled this great state laugh their sides off.
Yup. Even if Gov Huntsman has some valid points, its very bad form to whine about a lack of ideas coming from parts of the leadership without TALKING to them about what those new ideas might be.
“The governor said congressional Republicans are being frustrated by a lack of credibility on the party’s No. 1 tenet: fiscal responsibility.””
Oh the Irony! Boehner and fellow GOP COngress-critters voted NO on this, but Huntsman wont similarly say “NO” to the stimulus big-govt boondoggle money.
“e said congressional Republicans failed to score political points for opposing the bill - only three Republican senators supported it - because the public saw them as objecting to being shut out by Democrats from helping write the bill rather than as taking a principled stand. “
I disagree with the Gov. They DID take a principled stand and the GOP can only do so much when the media distorts. But they had an alternative and they pushed it. And as people realize its a failure and a hoax, they will gain support.
Best of all, he's stongly rumored to have presidential aspirations and recently came out if favor of gay/lesbian/younameit bills (in the Utah Legislature) in an effort to distance himself from "Mitt Romney's mormonism". He loves spending and has succeeded on foisting plenty of government programs on us (such as all-day kindergarten aka taxpayer funded day care).
He also supported McCain in the primaries.
Fortunately, the "gay" bills were defeated (this year) and I sincerely hope 'Smilin' Jon Jr. is, deservedly, shown the exit if/when he runs for the presidency.
Speaking of pioneers, why isn't that on a license plate? All states seem to celebrate their heritage (especially the historical stuff) but Utah almost seems ashamed of the pioneers. What gives?
In a separate interview at The Times, House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, one of the party's chief message makers, said that Republican lawmakers have improved their standing with voters by attacking waste in the economic stimulus package even if rank-and-file Republicans can't agree to forgo earmarks - the pork-barrel spending projects despised by the electorate.Divide and conquer. Congressional Pubbies have done a GREAT job, particularly under the circumstances. After 2010, when their numbers decline again, they still won't be able to walk on water.
Grampa Dave -- If Hiterily gets elected with enough votes in Congress, these will be the good old days. The purists, who will stay at home because our candidate couldn't walk on water without getting the soles of his Teva's wet will have gifted us with another Clintoon pillaging.Substitute Obama for Hiterily.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.